In Paris on 2 January, the statue of Jeanne d’Arc on the Place Saint‑Augustin, located in front of the Église Saint‑Augustin, was vandalised in full daylight. An individual climbed the monument and forcibly removed the blade of the saint’s sword in the presence of passers‑by.
The statue, a late‑19ᵗʰ‑century bronze work by Paul Dubois, had its sword damaged, which was detached from the figure’s hand and subsequently recovered by police. Visible marks of the removal remained on the sculpture, prompting plans for technical assessment ahead of restoration.
Police officers responding to witness alerts apprehended a suspect nearby shortly after the act. He was taken into custody on suspicion of property damage; his identity and any motive had not been publicly disclosed at the time of reporting.